2. Nos. 82 & 80

These two properties were built in the first years of the 16th century. Number 80, on the left had a shopfront put in which was originally a greengrocers but later became the butchers that we see in this photograph. Meanwhile No. 82 was still a private residence at the same time.80 & 82 High StreetThe butchers shop was owned by Mr. Alderslade and later run by his daughter. Unfortunately this is one of the many buildings that failed to survive the developers bulldozer in the 60s.

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  • Iris Elisabeth Alderslade was born in 1903 when her father, Alfred Thomas, was the licensee of the Coach and Horses in Chapel Street. She went to the Council School and then Brentwood Ursuline. During the 1914/18 war troops were billeted on them. In 1921 her father gave up the licence of the pub and set up a butcher’s business in 80 High Street, formerly occupied by John McCluer, a greengrocer. The family lived above the shop. With her mother, Louisa Ellen, they helped in the shop, at first without additional help. They took over the business when her father died in 1928 . Iris cut up all the carcasses and prepared the joints. Apart for early closing on Monday, the working day was very long: 7.00 pm Tuesday to Thursday, 8.00 pm Friday and 9.00 pm on Saturday. At first they had a large cold store, cooled with ice blocks that had to be delivered, at some stage replaced with a refrigerator. During the last war a Mrs. Brobart helped in the shop and another young woman helped briefly after the war.
    In about 1959 Iris gave up the butcher’s shop and took over the next door confectioners shop, No78, carrying on the business there until 1962.
    But she said she never cared for the sweet trade, preferring the quick turnover of butchering, without having stock to store.
    She never married and In 1976 was living in 69 Laindon Road. She died in 1995.
    Based on the text of an interview with Iris Alderslade by Nell Rosier in 1976
    .

    By Ian Fuller (20/02/2018)

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